Canon F1 Camera Serial Numbers

[ITEM]

25.04.2020

Canon F1 Camera Serial Numbers

Serial Number CheckSerial Number LookupCanon Ae-1 Serial NumberThe serial number can be found on the top of the camera to the right of the lens (when looking at the camera as if a picture of you is being taken). The serial number should be in small black numbers. According to Wikipedia, the Canon AE.

1946-1954

The Golden Age of Built-In Rangefinder Cameras

The company changed its name to Canon Camera Co., Inc. in line with the “Canon” brand used for its cameras, while the head office plant was moved to Shimomaruko, Ota ward, Tokyo. Although this was the time when 35mm cameras coupled with rangefinder were the most popular, an advanced German camera Leica “M3″, which was far superior to any other camera. While most of the domestic camera manufactures were retreating from making rangefinder cameras, Canon continued to introduce masterpieces of rangefinder cameras equipped with uniquely developed systems.

Please enable JavaScript to watch this content.

Post-War Foundation Building by the Development of Original Cameras

“S II,” the first new model when the factory resumed operation after the world war II

By the end of November l946, one year after the resumption of the operations at Precision Optical Industry Co., Ltd., approximately 560 “J II” cameras had been produced. The steady growth of the production resulted from increasing demands for cameras “domestically exported” to the Allied Occupation Forces. In October of the same year, the “S II,” a long awaited new Canon product, was introduced. It had the viewfinder and coupled rangefinder combined into a single window. This was an original Canon design that was not found in the Leica camera. While the “J II” model was considered to be the legacy of the pre-war “Standard Model”, the “S II” camera was expected to play the role of foundation builder for the post-war Precision Optical Industry.

Partner k1200 manual. K1200 Mark Ii Manual.

“II B,” the cornerstone of Precision Optical Industry after the war

Another new mechanism was developed for the “II B,” which was released in April l949. The camera featured a three-mode optical viewfinder. The viewfinder magnification could be changed depending upon the lens in use. This three-mode optical viewfinder was an original Canon design matched to the interchangeable lenses, and this specification was passed on to the future Canon 35mm rangefinder cameras. In other words, the solid foundation for the post-war Precision Optical Industry was established at this stage.

Establishment of Canon Camera Co., Ltd. for Further Expansion

During this period, two major events took place that had affected the destiny of the development of Precision Optical Industry Co., Ltd. One major event was the change of the company’s name to Canon Camera Co. Ltd., and the other was the move of the Head Office Plant to Shimomaruko.

Those days, there were many camera-loving personnel in the Allied Occupation Forces who complained that product branding was very confusing: Canon for cameras, Serenar for lenses, and Precision Optical Industry for the manufacturer of these products. Some of them came to Meguro looking for Canon cameras and found it difficult to remember that the name of the company they were looking for was Precision Optical Industry. Responding to these complaints, and in view of the need to make the company easily recognizable internationally, Mitarai decided to change the company’s name to Canon Camera Co., Ltd. as of September 15, l947. After this change, the names of the manufacturer and the camera were unified under Canon, and the Serenar lens brand was also changed to the Canon in l953.

President Mitarai made a trip to the United States in August l950, three years after the change in company name, to observe the international trade fair and study the trends in the camera market. He was also looking for the opportunity to establish a sales network in the United States. In order to seek their cooperation in Canon’s sales in the United States, he visited Bell and Howell Company, a well-established company with advanced technology as well as a sales network in the area of 8mm and 16mm cinecameras and projectors. Unfortunately, his request was turned down, in spite of the fact that Bell and Howell recognized the excellent quality of Canon’s high-end 35mm cameras. The major reasons for the rejection were that the Canon cameras were made in Japan, and that Canon’s factories were all wooden buildings that could easily catch fire.

Fuji Aviation Instruments Co. Ltd.’s factory before being sold to Canon

Although his sales plan in the U.S. Market did not materialize, Mitarai’s visit to the United States was not entirely in vain. In fact, Canon benefited greatly not only by the valuable information gathered about the latest status of the world’s camera industry, but also by recognizing the need for a new fire-proof factory building with the most modern facilities. In June, the company, looking for new factories, purchased and started remodeling the plant site of the former Fuji Aviation Instruments Co., Ltd., located in Shimomaruko, Ohta Ward in Tokyo. Beginning in November l951, Canon started reorganizing its head office divisions located in Ginza, Meguro factory and Itabashi factory, and gradually moved their major functions to the new Shimomaruko Head Office Plant.

The new plant in Shimomaruko was very colorful and modern, employing different colors for different workplaces. With the completion of the Shimomaruko Plant, the foundation for a modernized Canon company with the worldwide market in view was established.

Masterpiece Lens “Serenar 50mm f/1.8″

Although the Serenar lenses for popular cameras began to appear in the market after the war, the shortage of raw materials brought such strange situations that the first post-war Canon camera, the “J II” was supplied with either the “Serenar 50mm f/3.5″ or “Nikkor 50mm f/3.5″ lens. Finally, in 1947, the development of the “Serenar 50mm f/2″ was completed and used as the standard lens. At the same time, the “Serenar 135mm f/4,” Canon’s first interchangeable lens was introduced.

Confirming that Canon had started the full-scale production of the Serenar lens within the company, Nippon Kogaku stopped supplying the Nikkor lens in 1948. This marked the beginning of era when Canon’s high-end 35mm cameras were supplied with the company’s own lenses.

“Serenar 50mm f/1.8,” masterpiece lens of Gaussian type

The “Serenar 50mm f/1.8″, which was introduced in 1951, was developed by Hiroshi Ito, an engineer who later made great contributions to the diversification of Canon’s business. This lens provided an elegant solution to the weakness of the Gaussian lens that often generated flare (coma) at large apertures. Because of his accomplishment, the Serenar lens has been known as a historical masterpiece. Coma was the weakness of the large aperture Gaussian lenses, the solution of which had been a technical challenge to the prominent lens designers throughout the world. The basic optical theory developed by Ito to solve the problem using his own unique analysis expedited the development of the large aperture wide angle and telephoto interchangeable lenses. As the name of the lens was changed from Serenar to Canon, the company was able to produce many masterpiece lenses based on Ito’s theory.

Many Masterpieces of High-End 35mm Cameras that Captured the Users’ Fancy

At the beginning of the 1950s, Canon put many new cameras on the market successively. The “III” camera, Japan’s first model equipped with a fast 1/1000 second shutter speed was released in February 1951. This was followed two months later in April, by the “IV,” which had a flash rail that enabled using a flash unit directly connected to the camera without a cable. Several more cameras including the “III A,” an improved version of the “III,” were introduced one after another in the new product rush of 1951.

“IV Sb2,” highly appreciated as an all-time classic model

While the development of new products continued, it was inevitable that masterpieces were born, one of which was the “IV Sb.” The “IV Sb,” marketed in December l952 featured the “X” synchronization for electronic flash. The IV Sb was the world’s first 35mm rangefinder camera with electronic flash synchronization. Especially significant was the “IV Sb2,” the improved model of “IV Sb” which was released in March l954. This camera gained an 1/15 second shutter speed by using a slow governor with a dual-escapement mechanism. With the advent of the 1/15 second shutter speed, for the first time the shutter speeds could be a geometric progression of two as the f/stop range of the lenses and exposure meters markings were.
The “IV Sb2″ camera was highly evaluated as being a masterpiece equal to the Leica.

Impact of Leica M3

By this time, the 35mm rangefinder cameras developed by Canon were considered equal to the Leica, the world’s best camera. Shortly before the release of the “IV Sb2,” the “Leica M3″ was unveiled at the 4th “Photokina,” the international camera trade-fair held in Cologne, West Germany in 1954. The “Leica M3″ was a camera based on a concept completely different from the conventional development approach to the rangefinder cameras.

It was reported that Canon’s engineers who saw the “Leica M3″ for the first time were greatly shocked by the level of perfection in the camera as represented by the brightness and visibility of its viewfinder, as well as by the accuracy of its rangefinder. In spite of the fact that their improved model “IV Sb2″ had received good acceptance from its users, Canon engineers realized that, with the debut of the “Leica M3,” the camera world was about to experience great change. This heralded the era of great changes in cameras, leading the company to seek new directions.

What the “Leica M3″ had Brought

Since it was difficult to imitate the “Leica M3″ introduced in 1954 in terms of its bright viewfinder and accurate rangefinder, many camera manufacturer, including Canon, were forced to shift their development goals to the camera that would lead the world’s market in the future. What Japanese camera manufacturer, including Canon, decided was to concentrate on the single lens reflex (SLR) camera with system capabilities, which could be developed using Japan’s own technology. This SLR camera was to become the new camera, which would be accepted by the world, capable of overcoming the previous limitations of the rangefinder cameras including the use of telephoto lenses.

Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.

Index • • New posts • • RTAT • • 'Best of' • • Gallery • • Gear • • Reviews

New posts • • RTAT • • 'Best of' • • Gallery • • Gear • • Reviews

FORUMS➔Canon Cameras, Lenses & Accessories➔Canon EOS Digital Cameras
Thread started 21 Nov 2008 (Friday) 04:15

(this ad will go away when you log in as a registered member)

gmaxgmax

25 posts
Joined May 2006
Location: Gorizia - NE Italy

Hello everybody,
is it possible to know the 'age' of a camera by looking at its serial number? Is there a working method similar to the code found on lenses?
Thank you very much,
Max

Nature photography at www.bataki.it

(this ad will go away when you log in as a registered member)

mspringfieldmspringfield

869 posts
Gallery: 4 photos
Likes: 17
Joined Jun 2005
Location: Chattanooga, TN

Max,
Apparently Canon put a date code on their film cameras so I can't see that they would not do it on their digital cameras. I found a T0404 inside the battery compartment on my 1DsMkII would would mean It was manufactured in 2005 and a S0804 in the same spot on my 1DMkII which would put its manufacture date in 2004. Both fall within time frame when the were the current release.
http://www.bobatkins.com …raphy/eosfaq/DATECODE.HTM
Michael

Pci rectangular concrete tank design manual. Michael Springfield - Chattanooga, TN
Canon 1DsMkIII, Canon EOS M, Canon 70-200mm 2.8L IS, Canon EF 1.4x II

whatabumwhatabum

73 posts
Joined Oct 2008

gmaxgmax
THREAD STARTER

25 posts
Joined May 2006
Location: Gorizia - NE Italy

mspringfield wrote in post #6730672
Max,
Apparently Canon put a date code on their film cameras so I can't see that they would not do it on their digital cameras. I found a T0404 inside the battery compartment on my 1DsMkII would would mean It was manufactured in 2005 and a S0804 in the same spot on my 1DMkII which would put its manufacture date in 2004. Both fall within time frame when the were the current release.
http://www.bobatkins.com …raphy/eosfaq/DATECODE.HTM
Michael

Thank you Michael!
I'm actually checking a possible upgrade for my dying out 20D .. and I've just laid my eyes on a 1DMKiiN, whose serial number (as provided by the seller) is: DS126111
As far as I know, the factories for Canon lenses are:
U = Utsunomiya, Japan
F = Fukushima, Japan
O = Oita, Japan
So there's no factory name starting with D, perhaps there are others for cameras .. am I wrong?
I've just emailed the seller asking for further info, no reply yet
Cheers,
Max

Nature photography at www.bataki.it

canonloadercanonloader

52,880 posts
Gallery: 1 photo
Likes: 50
Joined Aug 2006
Location: Behind A Camera

and I've just laid my eyes on a 1DMKiiN, whose serial number (as provided by the seller) is:

The serial number is not the date of manufacture number. Your going by the wrong number.

Mitch- ____..^.^..____
My Microscope Stuff
Gear List, My You Tube
War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

gmaxgmax
THREAD STARTER

25 posts
Joined May 2006
Location: Gorizia - NE Italy

canonloader wrote in post #6730897
The serial number is not the date of manufacture number. Your going by the wrong number.

...
Thank you!

Nature photography at www.bataki.it

canonloadercanonloader

52,880 posts
Gallery: 1 photo
Likes: 50
Joined Aug 2006
Location: Behind A Camera

Well, I knew about the date code on lenses, but not that camera bodies had one too. I'll have to look in the mirror box on mine and see what's there.
Here's the page I use to determine date of manufacture, and look, there it is right there, it does say camera bodies.

Mitch- ____..^.^..____
My Microscope Stuff
Gear List, My You Tube
War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

gmaxgmax
THREAD STARTER

25 posts
Joined May 2006
Location: Gorizia - NE Italy

canonloader wrote in post #6730949
Well, I knew about the date code on lenses, but not that camera bodies had one too. I'll have to look in the mirror box on mine and see what's there.
Here's the page I use to determine date of manufacture, and look, there it is right there, it does say camera bodies.

Thank you all!
I got also a reply from the seller, stating the right code: OU1102, it looks like the camera is 2 years old . not so bad for 30k actuations

Nature photography at www.bataki.it

canonloadercanonloader

52,880 posts
Gallery: 1 photo
Likes: 50
Joined Aug 2006
Location: Behind A Camera

A two year old MkIIn with 30K. If you can afford it, snap it up. One of the best cameras ever. Until last month, there were still a few Brand New In Box MkIIn's available at an even $6000. The last one was sold last month. Tells you something about that camera.

Mitch- ____..^.^..____
My Microscope Stuff
Gear List, My You Tube
War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

gmaxgmax
THREAD STARTER

25 posts
Joined May 2006
Location: Gorizia - NE Italy

canonloader wrote in post #6731345
A two year old MkIIn with 30K. If you can afford it, snap it up. One of the best cameras ever. Until last month, there were still a few Brand New In Box MkIIn's available at an even $6000. The last one was sold last month. Tells you something about that camera.

I surely will, if I can .. then at 1000$ it's a bargain ..
Hold your breath: just kidding! The price is higher, yet no so distant from a brand new 50D, which tempted me a lot ..
If I may go off topic: what are the main differences with the older mk II (not N)?
One more question: how is its ISO behaviour when compared to a (+ or - same age) 20D?
Thank you very much,
Max

Nature photography at www.bataki.it

canonloadercanonloader

52,880 posts
Gallery: 1 photo
Likes: 50
Joined Aug 2006
Location: Behind A Camera

There is no comparison between a 20D and any of the 1D's. They are not even in the same orbit. One is a 6 or 7 year old, 3 models behind has been, the other is a pro camera with more bells and whistles than the Tootie Froottie steam engine.
The differences between a MkII and MkIIn is the N can be seen here;
1DMkII.
1DMkIIn.

Mitch- ____..^.^..____
My Microscope Stuff
Gear List, My You Tube
War is not about who's right, it's about who's left.

adrianorgzaadrianorgza

1 post
Joined Mar 2009

Hi,
Hope all is well please can you put me in contact with the seller of the 1DMKiiN with serial number DS126111, my email address is hoto@adrian.org.za I'm realy interested please let me know, Adrian

gmax wrote in post #6730879
Thank you Michael!
I'm actually checking a possible upgrade for my dying out 20D .. and I've just laid my eyes on a 1DMKiiN, whose serial number (as provided by the seller) is: DS126111
As far as I know, the factories for Canon lenses are:
U = Utsunomiya, Japan
F = Fukushima, Japan
O = Oita, Japan
So there's no factory name starting with D, perhaps there are others for cameras .. am I wrong?
I've just emailed the seller asking for further info, no reply yet
Cheers,
Max

(this ad will go away when you log in as a registered member)

20,775 views & 0 likes for this thread
Camera serial number

FORUMS➔Canon Cameras, Lenses & Accessories➔Canon EOS Digital Cameras

Jump to forum.. • Rules • Index • New posts • RTAT • 'Best of' • Gallery • Gear • Reviews • Member list • Polls • Image rules • • Password reset

Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more.. and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!

COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.

forum software
version 2.1 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

THEME: Paper WhiteDarker
MARGINS: (this page: defaults)

Latest registered member is LDHICKMAN
1309 guests, 301 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.

Author: admin
Category: Category

[/ITEM]

[/MAIN]

25.04.2020